(Above:Jon Jones works the pads with Phil Nurse in front of onlookers in Las Vegas. Below:Vladimir Matyushenko does nothing with nobody in front of no one somewhere. Photos courtesy of Sherdog.)

Jones and Matyushenko. Rogan and Goldie. Munoz and Okami. Arianny and the other girl. Gomi and Griffin. Big John McCarthy (!), assuming he hasn’t been completely relegated to the dark card. It’s been far too long since the UFC has graced us with their presence — particularly on free TV — and it feels good to be hanging with the old gang again. Live round-by-round results from the Versus broadcast will be piling up after the jump starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. Refresh your browser every few minutes for all the latest, and leave us your insightful feedback in the comments section. And please, no unrelated comments about how boring Jake Shields is. At least for one night. Come on, guys, let’s be adults here.

And we’re live in San Diego. The lightweights will open the main card, with both guys trying to avoid a second straight loss.

Takanori Gomi vs. Tyson GriffinIn the intro package for Gomi, they show the one good punch he landed on Florian, three times in a row. Gomi is rockin’ the ginger look, and bouncing around like an excited little kid. Griffin’s skin is as orange as Gomi’s hair.

Round 1: Gomi attacking the body with punches. Griffin scores with a pair of counter-punches. Gomi lands a right hook to the body. He’s slugging. And he lands a hard right hook to Griffin’s chin that shuts Griffin off. Tyson lands face down and the ref jumps in as Gomi dives in to finish. The Fireball Kid climbs the fence ans starts screaming at Dana White. Griffin tries to protest the stoppage. You know, after he wakes up. Early front-runner for KO of the Night. Welcome back, Takanori. Gomi def. Griffin via KO, 1:04 of round 1.

Gomi says he considers this his first fight in the UFC. When he fought Florian, he didn’t know how to "fight American," and now he does. They show the replay of the knockout, and man, Gomi put everything into that hook.

John Howard vs. Jake EllenbergerEllenberger says that Howard’s luck has finally run out, and that "he’s got away with some stuff." Howard guarantees that this will be Fight of the Night. Anybody else getting these "Ocean City Maryland" commercials? It’s enough already. I will never, ever go there. Howard will be giving up five inches in height, but only one in reach. Bruce introduces "Jake! Ellen! BURGER!!!"

Round 1: Ellenberger rushes in with punches off the bell, but Howard swings back and clinches. Ellenberger puts Howard’s back against the fence and starts throwing knees to the body. Howard returns one to Ellenberger’s head. The crowd already boos the clinch. More knees from Ellenberger. Howard’s stuck, and Herb Dean eventually breaks them. Howard comes in firing bombs, and Ellenberger transitions from a clinch to a double-leg. Ellenberger lands in Howard’s guard and throws down an elbow. And another. Now the crowd is booing the ground-fighting, but Ellenberger is doing well controlling Howard and doing a bit of damage from the top. Herb decides to stand them up. Ellenberger works his jab. Howard dashes in and gets clinched and taken down once again. Ellenberger in half guard, trying more elbows. There’s the bell. Clear 10-9 for Ellenberger.

Round 2: Howard lands a head kick that seems to shake Ellenberger up. Howard follows up with punches and Ellenberger wisely takes Howard to the mat with another smooth double. Howard considers a guillotine, but loses it. Ellenberger in half guard. He lands an elbow to Howard’s face. Howard establishes full guard. Another big elbow from Ellenberger. Howard tries to set up an armbar, but he’s not even close. Howard tries to roll off his back, but Ellenberger stays on top, and lands a couple nice punches. Ellenberger slugs to the ribs. The crowd hates this fight. Howard springs up and tries to take Ellenberger down. Ellenberger defends, but Howard storms forward and lights him up with punches. Ellenberger scores the takedown, once again. Another sharp elbow from the top. And again. Howard’s left eye is horribly swollen. Ellenberger stays on top of Howard, throwing down short punches. Another 10-9 for Ellenberger.

Round 3: Howard catches a kick, separates, and throws a huge flying knee that smashes Ellenberger against the fence. Ellenberger skates out of danger and they’re boxing. Ellenberger gets one more takedown. Howard has no answer for them. Ellenberger goes back to the GnP. Herb pauses the fight to get Howard’s nasty eye checked out. The doc says he can’t see and that’s all she wrote. It’s too bad; Howard does his best work in the last five seconds of fights he’s losing. Ellenberger was right about Howard’s luck coming to an end. Howard was wrong about this being Fight of the Night. Ellenberger def. Howard via TKO (doctor’s stoppage), 2:21 of round 3. Ellenberger offers to do the fight over again, for some reason. The crowd responds with a collective "Noooooooooo…"

They show the Charles Oliveira vs. Darren Elkins fight from the prelims, and man does Oliveira know his jiu-jitsu. Elkins scores an early takedown and Oliveira snatches a triangle-armbar off his back, bear-trap-style. It’s over in just 41 seconds, and Oliveira is ridiculously psyched. His victory speech is "Hello UFC, hello San Chiego, no speak English, thank you!"

Chael Sonnen checks in for an interview. Joe Rogan asks him if he writes down his trash talk before he says it. Sonnen stays on message and cuts a nice promo about how he’s going to take Silva’s belt and get him fired by the UFC.

Mark Munoz vs. Yushin OkamiAnd we have a Big John sighting! The legendary ref is overseeing this one. Munoz gets a huge pop from the crowd.

Round 1:Munoz scores first with an overhand right. Okami throws a right hook. A tense opening. Okami with a straight left. And another, that has Munoz on his heels. Munoz whiffs a big head kick. Okami with another left. Munoz shoots low and Okami sprawls and escapes. Munoz attacks with punches and another takedown attempt, which he converts. But Okami quickly gets up and they clinch against the cage. Munoz working for a single-leg. Okami shakes out and lands a knee to the body after they separate. Munoz with another single-leg attempt. Okami sprawls at the bell. I’d give the round to Okami. It took a long time for Munoz to get going.

Round 2: Okami with a 1-2, and a wide uppercut that misses. Munoz with a kick to the body. Munoz with another single-leg attempt. Okami sprawls and works his way free. Okami throws a combo to the head and body, and Munoz clinches. They separate. Munoz drops Okami with a left hook, but Okami quickly gathers himself and scrambles up. Munoz chasing and punching. Munoz with a stiff right. He shoots and Okami sprawls. Okami throws some punches to the side of Munoz’s head. Munoz doesn’t want to give the leg up, so they’re at a stalemate. Okami throws in more punches. Munoz grabs Okami’s waist and finally drags him down at the bell. Close round, but I say Munoz evens the score thanks to the knockdown.

Round 3: Okami throws leather, Munoz tries a takedown but fails. Okami with a great punch combo and Munoz covers up, possibly stunned. Munoz drops to his knees and bounces forward for a completely jacked takedown attempt. Okami avoids and opens up with punches when they’re back on their feet. They clinch briefly. Munoz with another single leg attempt that gets rebuffed. Munoz slips to the mat and Okami seizes the opportunity, diving on. Munoz gets out. Okami tries for a single-leg of his own, but it doesn’t work out. More punches land from Okami. Munoz looks exhausted. Okami batters Munoz with more punches, and the hometown fighter drops for a desperation single leg. Okami sprawls and beats Munoz’s ribs. Munoz is tenacious. He won’t stop trying to put Okami on his back. Okami with punches to Munoz’s head and body. Okami grabs Munoz’s head as they come up and scores with a knee as the last horn sounds. I’m giving that one to Okami.

Okami def. Munoz via split decision. (29-28 Okami x 2, 29-28 Munoz) Not a fight that’s going to propel Okami to a title shot, but it wasn’t his fault.

Round 1: Jones is doing this weird Anderson Silva-stance thing. He jabs to the body. He lands a nice leg kick, then a reverse kick to the body. Jones closes the distance and takes Matyushenko down. Vlad briefly threatens the arm, but loses it. Jones passes to side control, then a mounted crucifix. Uh oh. Jones jackhammers down elbows to the head of a completely defenseless Matyushenko until the fight is stopped. Jones def. Matyushenko via TKO, 1:52 of round 1. Jones says he wants a tough, top-ranked guy for his next fight. Joe tries to push him to name somebody specific, but Jones says that Joe Silva does a good job, and he’ll just leave the matchups to him. "You stay classy, San Diego" Jones says. Flawless victory.

So who do you give him next? The winner of Lil’ Nog vs Bader? The winner (or loser) of Rampage vs. Machida? Let us know how you feel, and thanks for reading. We’ll talk more tomorrow…

Cagepotato Comments

Showing 1-25 of comments

wanting jones to get beat up is just ... exploiting you for a hater.
the mans respectful, kind , well spoken and if anyone hates that kid they have absolutely no reason other then..
hate the upcoming thing

kingmantis- August 3, 2010 at 10:22 pm

Joe Rogan is the absolute worst commentator in MMA. The UFC needs to dump him and his biased screeching/bogus medical diagnoses. They should look into hiring Mauro Ranallo, the best play-by-play man in the biz.

vengful1- August 2, 2010 at 5:48 am

@ccman
Zero damage? I bet it won't feel that way to Vlad when he wakes up in the morning. When Jones is throwing elbows and you have no way to defend, the fight is over. Why let the poor old man get mutilated? Keep on hatin' and Jones will keep on wreckin'.

Steffmeister- August 2, 2010 at 3:30 am

That damn cracker Cecil Peoples scoring it for Munos... ppffff!

fatbellyfrank- August 2, 2010 at 2:49 am

@Underbanga, replayed in 15 minutes on Fuel TV, didn't find out til I got home from work, and mighty fine erb, I know, still a wanker, as long as my hand can reach old mate, that'll what they'll have to pry from my cold dead hands,

Under Banga- August 2, 2010 at 2:08 am

Farq Frank
Check it out same place you watched strikeforce. Wanker .What are you smokin dude .

Fuck I missed the fights some 1 mentioned Jake Sheilds and I just woke up now!

2DaDeath- August 1, 2010 at 11:59 pm

I got no complaints about tonights fights either, except that i can't seem to figure out fightpicker. When i choose the guy that's supposed to win, he loses. This time I figure i switch it up; wrong again. This is some bullshit, CP. Fix that thing already!

Dick_Gozenya- August 1, 2010 at 10:34 pm

Good fights- mostly- can't bitch for close to $free.99. Where's Yuji Shimada when you need him? Talk about refs with quick trigger fingers. Joe Rogan was so fucking high on hash oil or some shit he could barely contain his enthusiasm. He sounded like he had $10 grand riding on Doomsday in Howard's fight.

Fear Itself- August 1, 2010 at 10:08 pm

just realized that Chael Sonnen talks like a real life version of Jack Burton from Big Trouble in Little China.

fatbellyfrank- August 1, 2010 at 9:47 pm

I dont give a fuck about any theories, just rang Wifey and she didn't fucken record any of it, Fuck, looks like I'm stuck with Wizards of Waverly Place again tonite, fuck it.
Love her always, but fuck, some shit you just dont forget

ThrashingMad- August 1, 2010 at 9:10 pm

Jones should get the winner of Bader/Nogueira. Thats how it usually goes for fighters: Good fighter, good fighter, top contender, title shot.

KarmaAteMyCat- August 1, 2010 at 9:06 pm

Someones still butt hurt over the Lesnar fight isn't that just adoreable? I mean seriously? Most the punches after lesnar was against the cage didn't land. Brock was asked to move and switch positions which he did, he gained footing and pushed carwin against the cage. blah blah blah conspiracy theory this Conspiracy theory that.

KarmaAteMyCat- August 1, 2010 at 8:50 pm

I'd like to see Jones vs Evans in all honesty.

TheMadness- August 1, 2010 at 8:47 pm

Aaaand Jones wins again via elbow destruction. What a shocker.

jiveturkey1986- August 1, 2010 at 8:40 pm

Franklin, Griffin or Thiago Silva would be a good next fight.

dranokills- August 1, 2010 at 8:36 pm

Yeaaaaa cagepotato for the biggest win of the night.

Mike Russell- August 1, 2010 at 8:32 pm

Nice CP shout out on The Daily Line show.

bxconti- August 1, 2010 at 8:32 pm

@ccman

...really? I missed the part in the lesnar fight where he was put into a position where he couldn't move/defend his face and ate 6-7 elbows to the temple. Not a single one of Carwins punches landed as clean as any of those elbows.

I don't understand where everyone gets these conspiracy theories from where the UFC is having their stars/prospects get different rules from the judges. I understand if you say, "The UFC is handpicking Jones fights," but an early stoppage? Absolutely not.

ccman- August 1, 2010 at 8:12 pm

post fight thoughts below.

Jones is way to handled, was given a VERY fast decision and rogan saying their was no protest as the janitor is shaking his head made me sick. MMA needs to stay outta california and their jacked up commission until they can finally make something not suck.

and NO i am not saying jones would not have won, but there was zero damage, and again, same standard on the stoppage and lesner lost his belt.

Biffmiester- August 1, 2010 at 8:09 pm

To hell with it, give him the champ. He's gonna be #1 contender eventually, might as well get it outta the way now since he's the best looking LHW most deserving. Fuck it, why not, I say!

k-onda- August 1, 2010 at 8:06 pm

I think Bones v loser of Rampage/Machida sounds good. Time to start shifting the foundations of this division, officially.

bigHAL13- August 1, 2010 at 8:03 pm

give him brock lesnar or junie browning.

bigHAL13- August 1, 2010 at 8:01 pm

@ savageleto
that would be one of the best fights in a really long time to see jones slaughter silva. write that one down and send it in to the ufc

bigHAL13- August 1, 2010 at 7:58 pm

i wish i would have had someone to place a huge bet with on this one!!!!!!!!!!damn did jones ever destroy Matyushenko and he just continues to make everything look so easy when he fights.

Think on it... takedowns and do nothing with it count way to much. Stuffed takedowns count for nothing. Too many wrestlers in mma getting wins by doing nothing but shooting and then looking to lay and pray. What sucks is it used to be lay and prey...... think about it..... kos would be fired next week. Sheilds immediately on principle.

I hope jones does get his ass kicked. I like him but that video of Vlad downing shots and talking about guns with that chick makes me want to see a beatdown, russian style.

Savageleto- August 1, 2010 at 7:35 pm

It should count Double..

So we don't have to sit through such hopeless bullshit for 15 minutes.

If a fighter gets stuffed... he needs TWO take downs to break even.

ComaPlata- August 1, 2010 at 7:33 pm

@drano

One can only hope.

Savageleto- August 1, 2010 at 7:33 pm

Split Decision my ass crack...

Biffmiester- August 1, 2010 at 7:33 pm

wow, munoz's strategy was so damn one-dimensional and okami wasn't really looking for the kill. That fight wasnt that exciting. In fact, one could say it was boring... speaking of boring:

(cue related J.S. boring jokes)

dranokills- August 1, 2010 at 7:31 pm

the most boring fight of the night congrats to okami vs munoz. bleh.
now time for jones to get his eye swelled up, and lose like howard.

nicey- August 1, 2010 at 7:31 pm

that was a effing pathetic display by munoz. good god.

pinkyslayer- August 1, 2010 at 7:28 pm

so would a blocked punch be equal to a flush one?

ccman- August 1, 2010 at 7:25 pm

Rule proposal: if a takedown can win a round a stuffed one needs equal value.

LockDown- August 1, 2010 at 7:19 pm

So according to Sonnen, Anderson is ducking him for 4 years?? How toying a guy who submitted you easily is a way to duck?
Sonnen is starting to sound pathetic with his rants.

nicey- August 1, 2010 at 7:18 pm

munoz gets smashed against teh fencezor!!

ccman- August 1, 2010 at 7:10 pm

Munoz via arizona outrage

ComaPlata- August 1, 2010 at 7:10 pm

BIG JOHN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ccman- August 1, 2010 at 7:09 pm

Anyone else almost convinced sonnen buys his own rants? And I so wanted howards eye to get cut and spray airianne with blood.... hot!!!!!

ComaPlata- August 1, 2010 at 7:04 pm

I hope like hell Sonnen beats the absolute shit out of Silva. Thats all I have to say about that.

Biffmiester- August 1, 2010 at 6:58 pm

SOTN = Oliveira all the way...

DangadaDang- August 1, 2010 at 6:57 pm

during commercials rather

DangadaDang- August 1, 2010 at 6:57 pm

Has anyone been flicking to the Xgames between commercials? Women's skateboarding has to be the final nail in the coffin for women's sports. The winner of the damn competition was falling all over the course like the slutty member of the gang in a horror movie.

And Gomi throw's murderballs.

nicey- August 1, 2010 at 6:52 pm

"a huge flying knee that smashes Ellenberger against the fence Ellenberger skates out of danger "

lol it was a desperation attempt by howard which, at least from my vantage point from confines of my armchair, did not even come close to "smashing" ellenberger and dood wasnt in trouble at all. just sayin. im kind of a big deal.

jiveturkey1986- August 1, 2010 at 6:51 pm

im surprised they even let howard into the 3rd

Biffmiester- August 1, 2010 at 6:50 pm

Holy crap Ariel on air

nicey- August 1, 2010 at 6:46 pm

dam anyone see that watermelon on john howards face LOL godam

ComaPlata- August 1, 2010 at 6:45 pm

I absolutely hate ignorant "fans". This is a grimmy war going on and people are booing? How about respecting those takedowns by Ellenberger.

Mike Russell- August 1, 2010 at 6:45 pm

That's why they only booked four main card fight$$$...

sancho dominguez- August 1, 2010 at 6:41 pm

Does Buffer only get right in the faces of foreign fighters? He got all up in Hardys face in NJ vs GSP, I hope he screams "the JAN I TOR" in Matushenkos grill!

Jersey Shua- August 1, 2010 at 6:35 pm

What is the deal with all these commercials? First half hour on air and there's only been maybe 6 minutes of anything besides commercials.

Don't know what hurt Griffin's jaw more - getting punched by Gomi or landing face first on the mat.

nicey- August 1, 2010 at 6:27 pm

aw i miss franks commentary! rogan + mir would be epic. regardless of how one feels about him as a person, or as a fighter, his commentary is top notch.

ComaPlata- August 1, 2010 at 6:26 pm

Mir's soul patch is weak, my 8 month old son told me to write that.

ComaPlata- August 1, 2010 at 6:24 pm

Welcome to Fireballs KO reel Tyson... That was an epic face plant.

Randy Pan- August 1, 2010 at 6:23 pm

Tyson Griffith got clocked right on the chin. I would never have guessed that Gomi would win, much less in the first minute of the fight.

Metrognome- August 1, 2010 at 6:23 pm

that was INSANE. did not see that coming. Griffin just fell flat on the mat!

AnimalMother- August 1, 2010 at 6:22 pm

Nice to see the old Gomi make an appearance. Hopefully he sticks around.

LittleDoomsday- August 1, 2010 at 6:20 pm

I just jumped out of bed and yelled when Gomi landed that shit. Pissed my girlfriend off.

nicey- August 1, 2010 at 6:20 pm

annnnd tysons griffins a bitch

bigHAL13- August 1, 2010 at 6:19 pm

jon jones gets the win in the 1st by ko

nicey- August 1, 2010 at 6:12 pm

im already sick of goldbergs voice :/

i wish there was a way to filter out goldberg and just hear rogan.

the fuck.

gigacock- August 1, 2010 at 6:03 pm

jake shields is so boooorrin he makes............zzzzzzzzzz

DaltonSwayze- August 1, 2010 at 6:02 pm

Just watched the Jones-Vera replay, and I noticed that stupid upkick rule was in effect. Between that and the 12-6 elbows, what retarded rule will influence the outcome of the main event? I'm thinking someone gets a small joint manipulated